Ben Stokes misses Nasthan Astle record for fastest Test double-hundred

With England batsman Ben Stokes smashing the second quickest double-century in Test history against South Africa on Sunday, Steve Luckings looks at the five quickest batsmen to the mark.

New Zealand batsman Nathan Astle, right, whips a ball fine from England bowler Andrew Flintoff, left, on the way to scoring a double-century in a world record 153 balls on the fourth day of the first Test Match in Christchurch on March 16, 2002. William West / AFP

With England batsman Ben Stokes smashing the second quickest double-century in Test history against South Africa on Sunday, here is a look at the five quickest batsmen to the mark.

Nathan Astle (New Zealand) off 159 balls: When Astle, left, came to the crease for the first Test against England at Christchurch in 2002, New Zealand were 298 runs shy of victory. Astle reached the 200-mark in just 159 balls but was eventually out at 222 as England won by 98 runs.

Ben Stokes (England) off 163 balls: The England all-rounder scored a career-best 258 in a devastating display of attacking batting to power England to 629 for six declared on Day 2 of the second Test against South Africa on Sunday, reaching his double-century in 163 balls, with 26 fours and seven sixes.

Virender Sehwag (India) off 168 balls: Sehwag almost became the only batsman in Test cricket to reach three triple tons but was out on 293 against Sri Lanka in Wankhede in 2009. Sehwag helped India reach a highest-ever total of 726 for nine declared as they won the third Test by an innings and 24 runs.

Virender Sehwag (India) off 182 balls: The India opener was simply sensational at Multan in 2004 as India recorded a first Test win on Pakistan soil. In nine hours, he scored 309 to set up victory against India's arch-rivals by an innings and 52 runs and also become India's first triple centurion.

Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) off 182 balls: The New Zealand captain reached 200 with his 11th six from the 186th delivery he faced and was out two balls later for 202 on Day 3 of the third Test against Pakistan at Sharjah. It was McCullum's second double ton of 2014 as New Zealand won by an innings and 80 runs.

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